Durable data management vitalfor wetland monitoringMaking decisions based on geography is basic to human thinking in our day-to-day life. By understanding geography and people's relationships to locations, we can make informed decisions about the way we live on our planet. Geographical information can be de�ined as geospatial data or information specifying something about a location on earth.

Defining Spatial Data InfrastructureThe term ‘Spatial Data Infrastructure’ (SDI), was invented in 1993 by the United States National Research Council to represent a framework of technologies, policies and institutional arrangements that together facilitate the creation, exchange and use of geospatial data and related information resources across an information-sharing community. Such a framework can be implemented narrowly, to enable the sharing of geospatial information within an organization, or more broadly for use at a national, regional or global level.

The components of SDIHow useful a data set is depends on information about the data set itself (metadata). When it comes to an SDI, the effective use of a spatial data set is in�luenced by the following factors (UNECA 2005):

• clearly de�ined core or base data sets;• adherence of the spatial data sets to known and accepted standards;• documentation of the spatial data sets (metadata);• policies and practices concerning the access and use of the spatial data; and• adequate technology and human resources to collect, maintain, manipulate and distribute spatial data.

The main tools used in SDIThe tools used to provide functionality are the catalogue service for the web (Figure 1), web map service, web feature service, web coverage service and web processing service.

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Factsheet 5

Figure 1: GeoNetwork catalog systemLink: http://sditest.unesco-ihe.org:8080/geonetwork/srv/en/main.home

Creating an effectiveSpatial Data Infrastructure

• GeoNetwork: the catalog application shown in Figure 1, which has an easy-to-use interface to manage spatially referenced resources. It provides powerful metadata editing and search functions as well as an embedded interactive web map viewer• GeoServer: an open-source software server written in Java that allows users to share and edit geospatial data (Figure 2)• Data storage: Data is the core for SDIs. There are a lot of different ways to store data, such as File system, MySql, PostGreSQL/ArcSD and PostGreSQL/PostGis.

Elements of SDI used in WetWINThe following elements of SDI were implemented in the WETwin project:

• catalogue service for the web, where the available metadata in the WETwin database is presented; and• web map services to graphically present some geographically referenced data.

The following steps were followed to build the components of SDI within WetWIN:

• Identifying data sets with metadata information: In WETwin, the data is organized in a �ile system and all partners store data related to the project in subfolders at an FTP site (Figure 3). FreeMind software (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page) is used to map the database directories to simplify the task of locating data and metadata information (Figure 4).

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Data on wildlife and plants helpsto classify types of wetlands

Figure 3: WETwin databaseftp://ftp.vituki.hu/Internal/database%20attempts/Database/

Figure 4: Map of subfolders in the database

External_documents

WETwin_documents

Ga-Mampa

Gemenc

Model_River2D

Spreewald

basic_thematic_layers.xls

metadata template for spatial datasets.xls

metadata template for temporal datasets.xls

Lobau

Mbale_and_masaka 3

Inner_Niger_Delta 7

Abras_de_Mantequilla 01

database attempts

NWSC_DB_WETWIN

depths_rw511.asc

depths_rw511.asc

new dtm_IND.asc

DB_WERWIN_new 3

DB_WERWIN_bck 8

Database 2 6

Figure 2: GeoServer map displayer

• Building the metadata catalogue: GeoNetwork running under Tomcat Server is used to build the web metadata catalogue. After inserting the metadata based on the standard format, additional attributes are added by editing the xml �ile of the metadata. This allows project partners to upload the metadata user group and provides the capability to insert and edit metadata.• Uploading layers in GeoServer: The spatial data sets (mainly shape �iles) are uploaded using the GeoServer tool embedded in GeoNetwork. The �irst step is to create a work space; the

next is to store the data in it. In WETwin, only ESRI shape �iles were uploaded. After the data is uploaded, it is listed under layers and from there coordinated system information can be adjusted and published by choosing a style.

Author: Ann van Griensven

ReferencesUNECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) (2005) SDI Africa: An Implementation Guide. http://geoinfo.uneca.org/sdiafrica/default1.htm

Figure 3: WETwin databaseftp://ftp.vituki.hu/Internal/database%20attempts/Database/

Figure 4: Map of subfolders in the database

External_documents

Meetings

software

WETwin_documents

Dissemination_materials

Twinning_Workshopsftp://ftp/vituki.hu/ PublicInternal

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Project partners upload and edit metadatarelevant to their field sites

Understanding geography and people's relationships to locationsis fundamental to successfully managing wetlands

About WETwinThe WETwin project aims to enhance the role of wetlands in integrated water resources management for twinned river basins in the European Union (EU), Africa and South America in support of EU water initiatives. The objective is to improve community service functions while conserving good ecological status.

PartnersVITUKI Environmental and Water Management Research Institute, Hungary (coordinating partner) Wetlands International, MaliAntea Group, BelgiumPotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, GermanyWasserCluster Lunz, AustriaUNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the NetherlandsNational Water and Sewerage Corporation, UgandaInternational Water Management Institute, South AfricaEscuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Ecuador

FundingWETwin is a collaborative project funded under the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme Grant agreement number 212300.

Factsheet topics1: Lessons learned from a comparative assessment2: Enhancing governance in wetland management3: Devising a Decision Support Framework 4: Balancing ecology with human needs in wetlands5: Creating an effective Spatial Data Infrastructure6: Wetlands in a catchment context7: Assessing vulnerability of wetlands to change8: Integrating health, urban planning and wetland management9: Case study: Lobau wetland, Austria10: Case study: Ga-Mampa wetland, South Africa11: Case study: Abras de Mantequilla wetland, Ecuador12: Case study: Gemenc �loodplain, Hungary

ContactsFor further information, email:István Zsuffa: info@wetwin.euTom D’Haeyer: tom.dhaeyer@anteagroup.com

The contents of this factsheet are the sole responsibility of the WETwin project. The European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.